Spaceband buffer for linotype machines



Jan.24,1939.- D AH r 2,144,969

.SPACEBAND BUFFER FOR LINOTYEE MACHINES Filed May 11, 1938 z/wm f/a/WrATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 24, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SPACEBAND BUFFER FORLING-TYPE MACHINES William D. Hahn, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Application May 11, 1938, Serial No. 207,388

5 Claims.

My invention relates to Linotype machines and more particularly to spaceband buffers employed therein.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a space bandbufier so constructed and arranged to eliminate wear on the buffercaused by impacts of space bands or slugs discharged thereon and at thesame time eliminate wear on certain sections of the space bands.

Another object of my invention'is to provide a device of the abovedescribed character so constructed and arranged whereby the same may bereadily substituted for buffers already in use on Linotype machines andthe like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the abovedescribed character so constructed and arranged as to not only preventwear on the bufiers but also eliminate the. frequent replacement of thebuffers.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of theabove described character equipped with a cushioning means or device forreceiving theimpact of a space band discharged thereon'whereby toeliminate wear on the finger of the buffer ordinarily caused by theimpact of said band.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a device of theabove described character which is simple and durable in construction,reliable in use, efficient in operation, easy of assembly and economicalin manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention illustrating the sameattached to a section of a Linotype machine of ordinary construction.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of my invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a buffer of ordinary construction andwhich my invention replaces for the useful purposes herein set forth.

For the purpose of teaching my invention there is illustrated in Figurel of the drawing a section of a Linotype machine of ordinaryconstruction equipped with the usual elevator guides 2 and 3, anassembler 4 having a rear wall 4a, assembler slide 5, assembler elevator8, star wheel I and chute 8.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the assembler supports therein a plurality ora line of matrices 9 between different numbers of which are positionedspace bands or.slugs l0 and said matrices and space bands are held incontact by a lug H on the slide 5 which is tensioned by a spring (notshown). Each of the space bands or quads Iii are fashioned with anotched bottom to receive a horizontally extending guiding member thatis attached to and forms part of the Linotype machine. Furthermore, eachof the space bands or quads is fashioned with upper laterally extendingears which overlie and engage the walls of the assembler M.

The guiding member constitutes a buffer and is ordinarily constructed,as illustrated in Figure 5, in the form of an elongated finger F, oneend of which is equipped with a bearing B pivoted to the Linotypemachine subjacent the slide 5 by means of a screw stud l2.

In operation, when one of the space bands or slugs is discharged fromthe chute, the lower section of the space band will be impinged upon thefinger F adjacent the end thereof which is fashioned with the bearing B.Constant discharging of the space bands 'onto the finger F, which is ofmetal construction, causes wear thereon and forms a depression in theupper face thereof as illustrated at W in Figure 5. When the finger F isthus worn the laterally extending ears of the spacebands are alsosubjected to wear because the discharge of the space bands from thechute is checked by the ears engaging the assembler instead of the upperface of the finger F due to the depression W. Furthermore, when thefinger F becomes worn it necessitates a replacing thereof by a newfinger thereby adding considerably to the cost of operating the machine.

In order to eliminate wear, both on the finger and the laterallyextending ears of the space bands and the frequent replacing of buffers,I provide as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive a novel form ofbuffer IS in lieu of the ordinary type heretofore set forth.

My novel form of buffer I5 comprises a finger l6 of an elongatedconfiguration fashioned on one end with laterally extending sections llformed with vertically extending walls i8 terminating in upper outwardlyflared ends l9, said walls being spaced on each side of the finger l6and thereby forming a yoke for receiving therein the space bands orslugs II! in a manner to prevent lateral displacement of the latter.

The upper portion of the finger l6 extends above the sections I1 and theend of said upper portion terminates within and adjacent the ends of thewalls I 8 to form a vertically extending rim 20 within the yoke asclearly illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing. Mountedwithin'the yoke is an elongated cushioning device comprising a member 2|preferably constructed of fiber and fashioned with a longitudinallyextending slot 22 through which the rib 2% extends and which serves toform the member 2| with a pair of spaced longitudinally extending arms23.

The sections I! of the yoke are provided with a plurality of spacedopenings through which are slidably mounted screws 24 threaded into themember 2| on each side of the rib 20. The heads of the screws 24 aredisposed subjacent the under face of the sections H and serve to limitthe upward movement of the member 2|. Arranged about the screws 24 andinterposed between the lower face of the member 2| and'upper faces ofthe sections I! are coil springs 25 coacting with the sections l1 andmember 2| to urge the member 2| upwardly away from the sections l1.Fashioned on the lower face of one of the sections I! is a bearing 26which receives therethrough the stud bolt 2 whereby the buifer H5 ispivotally mounted on the machine subjacent the assembler slide 5 foroperation by the elevator 6 in the usual manner.

In use the slugs or space bands are discharged from the chute 8 onto themember 2| adjacent the end of the rib 20 and the impact of the spacebands cushion thereon by means of the springs'25. In this position thespace bands are moved onto the finger or rib towards the other end ofthe buifer in the usual manner.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple andreliable means for eliminating wear on the finger of the buffer and atthe same time eliminating the frequent replacing of the buffer Witha newone.

As the member 2| becomes worn the same may be readily replaced byremoving the screws 24 thereby precluding the necessity of providing anentire new bufier. Furthermore, the member 2|, being constructed offiber and somewhat resilient, is given to a longer life than if the samewas constructed of metal or the like.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising, a bufier fashionedwith an elongated finger adapted to be adjustably mounted for movementon a Linotype machine subjacent the assembler of the latter, and aspring pressed member mounted on one end of said finger for receivingthereon space bands discharged into said assembler in a manner toreceive the impact of said bands to preclude wear on said finger.

2. A buffer for Linotype machines and the like comprising an elongatedfinger fashioned with a yoke at one end and adapted to be adjustablymounted for movement on a Linotype machine subjacent the assembler ofthe latter, a cushioning device mounted within said yoke for receivingthereon space bands discharged into said assembler in a manner toreceive the impact of said bands to preclude wear on said finger.

3. A buffer for Linotype machines and the like comprising an elongatedfinger fashioned with a yoke on one end and adapted to be adjustablymounted for movement on a Linotype machine subjacent the assembler ofthe latter, a cushioning member mounted within said yoke, and resilientmeans between said member and said yoke for coaction with said memberfor cushioning the impact of a slug discharged into said assembler in amanner to preclude engagement of said slug with said finger whendischarged on saidmember.

4. A bufier for Linotype machines and the like comprising an elongatedfinger fashioned with a yoke on one end and a longitudinally extendingrib within said yoke, a bearing secured to said yoke for mounting saidfinger on a Linotype machine subjacent the assembler of the latter, acushioning member within said yoke and embracing said rib for receivingthereon a space band discharged into said assembler in a manner toreceive the impact of said band to preclude wear on said finger, springsinterposed between said member and said yoke, and fastening devicessecuring said member to said yoke and limiting the movement thereof.

5. In combination with a device of the character described, of aLinotype machine of that class provided with an assembler in which isp0- sitioned matrices and space bands between some of said matrices; anda buffer comprising an elongated finger pivotally mounted on saidmachine subjacent said assembler, a spring pressed member mounted on oneend of said finger for receiving thereon the impact of said space bandsdischarged into said assembler in a manner to preclude wear on saidfinger by said impact.

WILLIAM D. HAHN.

